SPORTS

Transfer: Ndidi Rejects Sevilla Offer, Victor Osimhen’s Market Value Drops

Published

2 months ago

July 12, 2024

Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, Wilfred Ndidi is not desperate to sign for a new club outside the Premier League in this summer transfer window.

Before the 2024 summer transfer window opened, Ndidi’s contract with newly promoted Premier League club, Leicester City had expired but the club refused to give up on him.

Reports claimed that the 27-year-old Nigerian defensive midfielder turned down Leicester City’s initial contract extension offer because he didn’t like the monetary aspect of the deal.

Ndidi is currently a free agent and many top clubs including FC Barcelona and Everton have been linked to him.

A report by Spanish publication, Estadio Deportivo, claimed that Sevilla offered him a contract but the Nigerian defensive midfielder turned it down with the hope that a perfect offer would come from a Premier League side.

This development, according to reports, is good news for Everton who are said to be very interested in the Nigerian midfielder as they continue to improve Sean Dyche’s squad ahead of the forthcoming season.

Meanwhile, Ndidi’s national teammate, Victor Osimhen will not be the most excited footballer right now as his transfer market value has dropped by €10 million, according to Transfermarkt.

Osimhen hit the peak of his football career during the 2022-2023 season in which he scored 26 goals and provided five assists in 32 league games for Napoli. His performance helped the club to win the Scudetto in the said season.

Due to that, his transfer market value rose to £130 million and later fell to £110 million following his not-too-impressive first half of the 2023-2024 season.

Currently, the 25-year-old striker is looking forward to leaving Napoli even though he still has two seasons left on his contract. But no club has been able to trigger his release clause which is worth €130 million.

There are reports that Napoli have lowered their asking price for the player to around €100 million due to how difficult it has been for the club to get a serious suitor.

As the interest of clubs in him continues to drop, Transfermarkt has also continued to drop his market value which is now set at €100 million based on their release in July.

SPORTS

Mbappe Speaks On Winning Ballon d’Or After Joining Real Madrid

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024

Bamidele Damilare

France football star, Kylian Mbappe, who recently joined Real Madrid during the summer transfer window, has expressed his belief that the prestigious Ballon d’Or award will be within his reach if he secures trophies and seamlessly integrates into his new team.

World wide gist reports that Mbappe shared this thought during his formal introduction as a Real Madrid player on Tuesday in Madrid, Spain.

The French international athlete signed a five-year contract with Real Madrid following the conclusion of his current contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the summer.

When queried about the potential impact of his move to Real Madrid on his aspirations of winning the UEFA Champions League and the Ballon d’Or, the 25-year-old responded: “There is no better place than Madrid to win titles. But the key is to adapt well. If I do that, the rest will come naturally.

“Winning everything is an objective, but in the long term. Now I want to get back to training and adapt to the team.”

World wide gist reports that Madrid had previously shared a photograph capturing the France superstar, alongside Perez, in front of the club’s 15 replica Champions League trophies.

The Spanish champions, who have long held a deep admiration for one of the most renowned talents in world football, had been actively pursuing his acquisition last summer.

This was in anticipation of Mbappe’s impending departure from PSG at the end of his contract.

SPORTS

‘Thomas Tuchel Open To Replacing Gareth Southgate As England Manager’

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024

Bamidele Damilare

The former manager of Bayern Munich, Thomas Tuchel is reportedly ready to replace Gareth Southgate as the manager of England.

Thomas Tuchel is not known to be a national team coach, but a UK publication, the Sun, claimed that the German tactician wants to start his international coaching career with England.

Recall that Tuchel resigned as Bayern Munich coach after one year and a half seasons at the German Bundesliga giants. He decided to part ways with the club on mutual grounds after he failed to win the league title for the perennial winners.

Before his not-too-impressive spell at Bayern Munich, Tuchel had coached Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint Germain, and Chelsea.

At Chelsea, the German coach had the best run of his career as he helped the London-based club to win the UEFA Champions League, the Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Since he is currently without a coaching job, he sees the Three Lions of England coaching role as his next stop after Southgate confirmed his resignation from the role earlier today, July 16.

Recall that Southgate reigned as England’s head coach for eight years in which he led them to the Euro 2021 final, which they lost to Italy, and the Euro 2024 final which they lost to Spain.

While Tuchel is said to be open to negotiate with the English FA, Newcastle United coach, Eddie Howe is said to be the favourite to replace Southgate.

Other coaches mentioned for the job are former English midfielders Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, alongside former Brighton coach, Graham Potter.

SPORTS

Yamal, Walker, Rodri Listed As UEFA Unveils Euro 2024 Team Of The Tournament

Published

2 months ago

July 16, 2024

Bamidele Damilare

UEFA has unveiled its official selection for the Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament, highlighting exceptional players in the just concluded competition in Germany.

World wide gist reports that the selected team, organized in a 4-3-3 configuration, includes players from a diverse array of countries, with Spain emerging as the dominant force.

In the goalkeeping position, France’s Mike Maignan is recognized for his outstanding performances.

The defensive line is anchored by England’s Kyle Walker, Switzerland’s Manuel Akanji, France’s William Saliba, and Spain’s Marc Cucurella.

The midfield trio is led by Spain’s Rodri, Fabián Ruiz, and Dani Olmo.

The forward line is particularly noteworthy, with Germany’s Jamal Musiala serving as the central striker, supported by Spain’s Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams.

It is worth noting that this youthful attacking trio has played a pivotal role in their teams’ success.

Euro 2024 Team of the Tournament

On the final day of the Euro 2024, Rodri was honoured as the top scorer of the tournament, having contributed significantly to La Roja’s victory over England with a score of 2-1, securing their fourth championship title in Berlin on Sunday.

World wide gist reports that Rodri’s performance was momentarily interrupted at the halftime of the final due to a knee injury, yet his exceptional contributions were recognized as Spain also managed to defeat Germany and France, securing their place in the final.

His sole goal of the tournament was scored in a 4-1 victory over Georgia in the last 16.

Despite this, coach Luis de la Fuente praised Rodri as a “perfect computer,” acknowledging his consistent passing and strategic understanding of the game, which were crucial in guiding a young team to victory against a particularly challenging schedule.